About the Majors

Russian Language and Literature

Department/Program Description.

The major in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies is designed to provide a broad background in the history, politics, society, and culture of the area. To be accepted into the program, students must have a minimum overall average of B in courses related to the major.

Admission to the Major.

There are two possible concentrations in the REES major.

Language, literature, and culture. Majors must complete three years of college-level Russian or the equivalent, as well as five more courses, three of which must be in literature or culture, one of which must be in either politics and economics or history and religion, and one of which must be either a course or a full-credit tutorial conducted in Russian. If a student places out of one or more semesters of language, he or she must take enough courses in REES to add up to a total of 11. For example, a student who places out of two semesters of first-year Russian would take four more semesters of language plus seven more courses.

Social sciences. Majors must complete two years of college-level Russian or the equivalent, as well as seven more courses, chosen in consultation with an advisor. These courses must include at least one in the category of politics and economics, one in the category of history and religion, and one in the category of literature and culture. If a student places out of one or more semesters of language, he or she must take enough courses in REES to add up to a total of 11. For example, a student who places out of two semesters of first-year Russian would take two semesters of language plus nine more courses.

Study Abroad.

Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in either a summer or a semester program of study in the former Soviet Union (FSU), for which academic credit will be given. Students may study in Eastern Europe as long as the program includes a language component. For a semester of study abroad on an approved program, four credits will count toward graduation, of which two will count toward the REES major. For a summer of study abroad on an approved program, two credits will count toward graduation, of which one will count toward the REES major.

Honors.

To qualify to receive honors or high honors in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, a student must write a senior thesis that will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the tutor, a second reader from the REES faculty, and one additional reader either from REES or from the faculty at large. This committee makes the final decision on departmental honors. Only a two-semester senior thesis may be submitted for honors in REES.

Additional Information.

REES Courses

Politics and Economics

GOVT274 Russian Politics

History and Religion

HIST218 Imperial Russia, 1682-1917

HIST219 Russian and Soviet History, 1881 to the Present

RELI299 Imagining Communities: National Religions and Political Rituals